The 8 things to do in Tavira

Are you going to visit Tavira in the Algarve region, south of Portugal? Discover our selection of must-sees to make the most of your stay!

All south of Portugal, the Algarve region condenses natural beauties and historical riches. Visiting Tavira is discovering a condensed region and immersing itself in the heart of Portuguese culture. Between historical monuments reflecting its millennial history and sandy beaches conducive to farniente and swimming, Tavira is an ideal option for a stay of a weekend and a week. To find out what to do in Tavira, we have prepared you a selection of visits and essential activities.

1. Old town

Visiting Tavira begins with a walk in its historic centre, in order to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city. You will walk through the narrow and paved streets lined with whitewashed houses. Some buildings are colored or covered with azulejos, typical Portuguese mosaics.

As you approach the centre, you can admire the ancient convent of Tavira, a beautiful pale yellow colour and converted into a hotel. In front, a small park will allow you to relax before continuing the visit to the church Santa Maria do Castelo then to Tavira Castle.

2. Tavira Castle

The Castelo de Tavira dresses its imposing silhouette at the top of the hill of Santa Maria. You get there by a staircase and enter the walls to discover a beautiful green garden. Access is free and you can climb the ramparts to take the round path.

The castle represents the essential element when visiting Tavira. It allows to dive into the history of the city, because it was built by the Moors during their occupation of the city from the 8th to the 13th centuries. From the top of the walls, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tavira, the Gilão River and the surrounding area.

3. The Ponte da Roman and the Gilão

By descending from the castle towards the river, you will pass through the Phoenician ruins in restoration, then through the church of Mercy. You will then arrive at the Roman Bridge, one of the must-sees of a visit to Tavira. He has no Roman name but the name, since the archaeologists think it would actually date from the Moorish era, around the 12th century. It is on this bridge that the king Dom Fernando 1st would have fought and repelled the Spanish invaders. The banks of the Gilão River are very pleasant to stroll.

Set up on one of the many restaurant terraces and admire the ballet of fishermen’s boats that sail on the river. You will have time to decide that to do in Tavira for the rest of your stay.

4. The municipal market

Visit Tavira without a tour Mercado Municipal is unthinkable. You will find the ideal souvenirs and gifts to bring back for you and your friends, but will also taste local life. Colourful mountains of fruit clash the stands where sellers cut fresh fish live in front of your eyes. This market concentrates an explosion of colours, sounds and smells that will bring you into the heart of Portuguese culture. Restaurants with terrace on the esplanade offer typical dishes, elaborated from the products you have just seen on the stalls of the merchants.

Please note, however, if you visit Tavira on the weekend, the market is open every day of the week except Sunday.

5. Igreja da Misericordia

The church of Mercy was built in 1541 and is now one of the emblematic monuments if you are looking for a place in Tavira.

His architect, André Pilarte, also participated in the construction of the famous monastery of the Jerónimos in Lisbon. It is the symbol of the Renaissance in Algarve, with its majestic door. You can admire its ceiling decorated with azulejos dating from the 18th century.

6. Tavira Island

Located only 2 kilometers from the city, the island of Tavira is separated from the continent by the Ria Formosa . You can access it by ferry or by foot. To go to the Praia de Tavira , it is possible to take the ferry from downtown or from the port Cais das Quatro Águas . It is the beach of families that come to visit Tavira, because it is the closest to the city centre and easily accessible through regular connections.

Infrastructures such as restaurants, cafes and toilets are also present on site. From Santa Luzia , you will join the quiet praia da Terra Estreita . Few tourists who are looking for Tavira to know it, since you have to take the ferry from Santa Luzia 3 kilometres east of Tavira.

On site, one coffee, but the hot sand for you. I mean, Praia do Barril joins since Pedras d’El Rei , thanks to a small bridge or a small train.

7. Praia do Barril and the anchor cemetery

Visiting Tavira allows you to see a unique place in the world: the cemetery of the anchors. Hundreds of anchors have been located next to each other since the 1960s and the cessation of traditional tuna fishing activity. These anchors participated in a complex fishing system and were used to maintain the nets in the face of the power of currents and hundreds of tunas.

In addition to this original historic site, the beach is very beautiful and the water suitable for swimming. The old fishing huts were converted into cafés, shops and restaurants. The small train that allowed for the transport of goods and fish between the fishing community and the continent was rehabilitated. The tourist line is 1.5 kilometers, for the greatest happiness of children and parents who seek to make Tavira with family.

8. To see and do also in Tavira

• One tuk-tuk ride, a widespread means of transport for tourists in Portugal
• kayaking in Ria Formosa National Park
• Explorer the mountains surrounding areas
• Visit Santa-Luzia, small village with a peach tradition

How to go to Tavira?

To visit Tavira, you will first have to reach the Algarve region, south of Portugal. Faro Airport is the one that serves the region. It is located 4 kilometers from the city of Faro and only 35 kilometers west of Tavira. To find the cheapest tickets, we recommend comparing the offers on a model platform Ulysses . You will find the tickets at the best price according to your dates of stay.

Once you arrive at Faro Airport, there are several ways to reach Tavira:

Private transfer

Several companies offer private transfers from Faro Airport to Tavira. You can book in advance, and a driver will wait for you on arrival with a sign. He'll take care of your luggage and bring you to your hotel 35 minutes. The normal cost of this type of transport is 45€ to go, 90 for the return trip.

Taxi

Taxis are present at the airport, but it will cost you 60€ to reach Tavira. It can be a good option if you travel to several or find other people who want to visit Tavira. Think for example TaxiTender , an online taxi booking service. It is more interesting to go through the highway and pay the toll. Indeed, National 125 passes through the city centre of Olhão, often bottled.

By train

There is no train line serving the airport, you will first have to go to the city of Faro. line 16 will take you to the bus station Proximo 200 metres from the train station. You can then take a train to reach Tavira. The journey takes about 35 minutes and the ticket costs only €3.20. Arrived in Tavira, you will have to walk for 800 meters or take a taxi to the city center.

By bus

As with the train, you will first have to reach the Bus station Proximo Faro. The bus takes an hour to connect Tavira, with 11 departures per day per week and 7 daily departures per weekend. If you have to wait for your bus for a moment, the port of Faro is only 200 meters away. You can start your stay with a nice walk before visiting Tavira.

Where to stay in Tavira?

Many hotels and hostels are present in the city centre. Staying in this strategic area offers many advantages to visiting Tavira. You will be at the heart of animation and close to all historical monuments. In addition, hotel establishments in the centre are often located in typical buildings, giving them a certain charm. Within and around the city you will find, among other things, apartments , guest rooms and country houses for rent.

To make your choice, choose a Compare hotels . You can enquire all the criteria you care about to visit Tavira in the best way. Breakfast included, hotel with pool, airport transfer, make your choice and let the best offers come to you.